Eric Velasquez was 21 years old. Just after midnight on March 7, 1994, he was shot and killed in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Santa Paula, California. More than 30 years later, no one has been arrested.
Earlier on the night he died, Eric had been involved in a series of confrontations tied to a months-long dispute with a man who had previously threatened him with a gun. He was shot and killed while leaving a friend's apartment in the Santa Paula-Ojai Road area. Despite witnesses, a reported suspect, and a possible connection to the earlier conflict, no arrest has ever been made. Investigators have said the case has been hampered by witness cooperation issues and gaps in documentation from that night.
Eric was the second of four boys and, by all accounts, family came first for him. He was especially close to his older brother, and embraced being a big brother to his two much-younger siblings, helping with homework, chores, and cooking dinner when his mother needed it. When he had to step away from college to help support his family, he adjusted without complaint, moved back in with his parents, and found work that fit around their needs.
Eric's mother, Susan, has spent more than three decades pushing for his case to be solved, including participating in interviews and advocacy efforts to keep his name and story in the public eye. Investigators have said the case is solvable, with a clear direction to follow and suspects whose names have come up repeatedly — but it requires new information or renewed cooperation from witnesses to move forward.
A reward of more than $50,000 has been offered for information leading to a resolution in Eric's case.
How to report a tip:
Santa Paula Police Department (Detective S. Virani): 805-525-4474
Ventura County Crime Stoppers (anonymous): 1-800-222-8477
Reward: More than $50,000 for information leading to an arrest